The Spanish Novel: Evolution From 1920 to 1970
The Spanish Novel: 1920-1970
Post-War Literature (1940s)
The post-Civil War period in Spain (1940s) was marked by cultural disorientation, international isolation, famine, political repression, and censorship. Two main types of novels emerged during this time:
Novel of the Civil War
These novels focused on the ideological and physical aspects of the Spanish Civil War. They were characterized by:
- Passionate and partisan authors
- Idealized characters (heroes or villains)
- Newspaper-report-like techniques
Authors:
Read MoreLanguage and Communication
LANGUAGE
Language
Language is a specific power of human beings common to all. Language is the particular realization that a particular community makes of the universal ability to speak. Speaking is an individual act whereby each person externalizes language.
Descriptive Grammar
It aims to show how the language system works.
Law
Sanctions as good one possible variety of the language.
Morphology
Study of word parts.
Syntax
Discusses how to combine words and the meanings of the combinations they produce.
Pragmatics
Discipline
Read More20th Century Spanish Literature: Narrative & Theatre
Narrative
Existential Realism (1940s)
This period aimed to convey the feeling of unease and hardship in post-Civil War Spain. Notable works include:
- The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo José Cela
- Nothing by Carmen Laforet
- Shadow of the Cypress is Elongated by Miguel Delibes
These works explored the difficult aspects of life, intending to act as a catalyst for change.
Social Realism (1950s)
With an increase in the standard of living and external artistic influences, censorship decreased. This period saw
Read More18th Century Spanish Literature: Enlightenment and Neoclassicism
The Enlightenment in Spain
During the 18th century, Europe was influenced by the Enlightenment, a movement that championed reason as the primary source of knowledge. However, its acceptance in Spain was slower compared to other countries. A new form of government emerged, known as enlightened despotism, guided by the principle of “Everything for the people, but without the people.” This era saw the establishment of new schools, the promotion of scientific development, a reduction in the nobility’
Read MoreSpanish Renaissance Literature: Styles, Authors, and Works
Spanish Renaissance Literature
San Juan de la Cruz
Poetic Work
This includes minor art poems and three major poems: Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Song, and Flame of Love Alive. These three are written in older liras.
- Poems reflect the mystical experience, the union of the soul with God, and symbolic language based on human love.
- Dark Night and Spiritual Song share the same pattern: the beloved (the soul) goes in search of his beloved (God), and the spiritual marriage takes place.
- Flame of Love Alive
Spanish Literature from Romanticism to the Civil War and Beyond
Spanish Literature: A Journey Through Time
Romanticism (First Half of the 19th Century)
Romanticism, a dominant artistic movement across Europe, did not emerge simultaneously in all countries. In Spain, it championed the creative power of the spirit, emphasizing imagination, feeling, and passion.
Key Features of Spanish Romanticism:
- Rejection of reality and escapism through imagination.
- Exploration of inner thoughts and emotions.
- Emphasis on the importance of landscapes and natural settings.
- Celebration